The CorK & Bottle - New Smyrna Beach, Florida
The Cork & Bottle
Fantastic gourmet food in a 100+ year old building
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
We just enjoyed an absolutely amazing meal at The Cork & Bottle restaurant in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Who doesn't love enjoying fantastic gourmet food in a 100+ year old building in a historic downtown? Owner and chef Mike Keenan has something really special here in the Canal Street Historic District in New Smyrna Beach.
We asked Mike about his restaurant.
How would you describe the unique feel / vibe of The Cork & Bottle ?
We are a casual, intimate dining experience with a focus on fresh quality ingredients. Our goal is to be a slightly upscale wine and beer bar.
How did The Cork & Bottle come to be?
The Cork and Bottle has been my dream for many years. My father was in the hospitality business, having owned several hotels and restaurants, as his father was before him.
My grandfather was a bootlegger during prohibition and had a "speakeasy" in Brooklyn which would later open its doors officially the day prohibition ended --- fully stocked of course!
The folks at The Hub art studio were hoping to find someone to open a wine bar and when I saw the location, I knew it would fit. It also reminded me of my grandfathers old bar.
I scraped together what money I could and with the help of some friends was able to open in September of 2013.
Describe the average guest at The Cork & Bottle . Is the property family friendly? Senior friendly? LGBT friendly?
Our guests are really diverse but tend to be on the adult side of the spectrum. We welcome all guests, young and old, black or white, straight or gay.
Our staff has been a good mix over the years, and has included people of every persuasion.
As far as LGBT specifically, we are completely welcoming. Several of our best regulars identify as such and we love to serve them. We even put their names on the bar.
How would you describe your menu selections?
Our menu is diverse although we specialize in baked dishes such as our Grouper Parmesan, Steak and Guinness Pie, and Chicken Rockefeller.
We also feature great meals from the grill like our Filet Mignon, seared Ahi Tuna, or Rack of Lamb.
Our menu does change up about every six months, usually with a theme involved. Last summer we did hand tossed artisan pizzas. This winter we focused on hearty, baked dishes to combat the cold weather. We regularly win contests for our soups and sautéed dishes as well.
What is special about the New Smyrna Beach area as a tourist destination?
New Smyrna Beach is a great place to visit due to its laid back beachy attitude. Everything is a short drive away including beaches, boating, biking, historical landmarks, shopping, etc.
There is almost always something going on whether it's a wine walk, Art Stroll, Classic Car Show, Beer Walk on Canal Street, Chowder and Chili Cookoffs, Mardi Gras, St. Patricks Day parades --- always something to do!
Our Thoughts:
We think Mike Keenan is being very modest when he describes The Cork & Bottle as "a slightly upscale wine and beer bar."
The Cork & Bottle's menu is not what we think of when someone mentions bar food. Keenan's signature dishes are upscale, gourmet quality for a very reasonable price. The portions are large. The plating is appealing. The food is incredible!
We enjoyed Keenan's Chicken Alfredo Flatbread for our appetizer. His recipe included "slow cooked Alfredo with roasted chicken, fresh broccoli and melted mozzarella cheese" The two of us enjoyed a portion easily large enough for three or four.
Our dinner entrees were Pasta Alfredo and Filet Mignon.
The Pasta Alfredo was perfect in every way. Where many chefs over-cook or over-cheese, Keenan found the perfect mix for his creation. The large, juicy, grilled chicken breast on top was an excellent addition to the pasta.
Keenan's Filet Mignon is easy to describe - it is the best we have had anywhere...ever! His unique black and blue seasonings and marinade should make him famous.
The Cork & Bottle is located at 124 Canal Street, New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
You can reach them bu phone at 386-410-4937
You can visit their website at http://www.thecorkandbottlensb.com/
For more information on things to see and do in New Smyrna Beach, visit the New Smyrna Beach Visitors Bureau at http://www.nsbfla.com/
For more information on things to see and do in the Canal Street Historic District, visit http://www.canalstreetnsb.com/
For Naturist and Nudist travelers, Apollo Beach is located at the north end of the Canaveral National Seashore in New Smyrna Beach. The legal clothing optional beach area is south of crossover #5.
Article and photos by Thomas Routzong and Steven Skelley. Copyright 2016 Sunny Harbor Publishing. PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956. Phone: 321-446-7552. Email: [email protected]
Fantastic gourmet food in a 100+ year old building
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
We just enjoyed an absolutely amazing meal at The Cork & Bottle restaurant in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Who doesn't love enjoying fantastic gourmet food in a 100+ year old building in a historic downtown? Owner and chef Mike Keenan has something really special here in the Canal Street Historic District in New Smyrna Beach.
We asked Mike about his restaurant.
How would you describe the unique feel / vibe of The Cork & Bottle ?
We are a casual, intimate dining experience with a focus on fresh quality ingredients. Our goal is to be a slightly upscale wine and beer bar.
How did The Cork & Bottle come to be?
The Cork and Bottle has been my dream for many years. My father was in the hospitality business, having owned several hotels and restaurants, as his father was before him.
My grandfather was a bootlegger during prohibition and had a "speakeasy" in Brooklyn which would later open its doors officially the day prohibition ended --- fully stocked of course!
The folks at The Hub art studio were hoping to find someone to open a wine bar and when I saw the location, I knew it would fit. It also reminded me of my grandfathers old bar.
I scraped together what money I could and with the help of some friends was able to open in September of 2013.
Describe the average guest at The Cork & Bottle . Is the property family friendly? Senior friendly? LGBT friendly?
Our guests are really diverse but tend to be on the adult side of the spectrum. We welcome all guests, young and old, black or white, straight or gay.
Our staff has been a good mix over the years, and has included people of every persuasion.
As far as LGBT specifically, we are completely welcoming. Several of our best regulars identify as such and we love to serve them. We even put their names on the bar.
How would you describe your menu selections?
Our menu is diverse although we specialize in baked dishes such as our Grouper Parmesan, Steak and Guinness Pie, and Chicken Rockefeller.
We also feature great meals from the grill like our Filet Mignon, seared Ahi Tuna, or Rack of Lamb.
Our menu does change up about every six months, usually with a theme involved. Last summer we did hand tossed artisan pizzas. This winter we focused on hearty, baked dishes to combat the cold weather. We regularly win contests for our soups and sautéed dishes as well.
What is special about the New Smyrna Beach area as a tourist destination?
New Smyrna Beach is a great place to visit due to its laid back beachy attitude. Everything is a short drive away including beaches, boating, biking, historical landmarks, shopping, etc.
There is almost always something going on whether it's a wine walk, Art Stroll, Classic Car Show, Beer Walk on Canal Street, Chowder and Chili Cookoffs, Mardi Gras, St. Patricks Day parades --- always something to do!
Our Thoughts:
We think Mike Keenan is being very modest when he describes The Cork & Bottle as "a slightly upscale wine and beer bar."
The Cork & Bottle's menu is not what we think of when someone mentions bar food. Keenan's signature dishes are upscale, gourmet quality for a very reasonable price. The portions are large. The plating is appealing. The food is incredible!
We enjoyed Keenan's Chicken Alfredo Flatbread for our appetizer. His recipe included "slow cooked Alfredo with roasted chicken, fresh broccoli and melted mozzarella cheese" The two of us enjoyed a portion easily large enough for three or four.
Our dinner entrees were Pasta Alfredo and Filet Mignon.
The Pasta Alfredo was perfect in every way. Where many chefs over-cook or over-cheese, Keenan found the perfect mix for his creation. The large, juicy, grilled chicken breast on top was an excellent addition to the pasta.
Keenan's Filet Mignon is easy to describe - it is the best we have had anywhere...ever! His unique black and blue seasonings and marinade should make him famous.
The Cork & Bottle is located at 124 Canal Street, New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
You can reach them bu phone at 386-410-4937
You can visit their website at http://www.thecorkandbottlensb.com/
For more information on things to see and do in New Smyrna Beach, visit the New Smyrna Beach Visitors Bureau at http://www.nsbfla.com/
For more information on things to see and do in the Canal Street Historic District, visit http://www.canalstreetnsb.com/
For Naturist and Nudist travelers, Apollo Beach is located at the north end of the Canaveral National Seashore in New Smyrna Beach. The legal clothing optional beach area is south of crossover #5.
Article and photos by Thomas Routzong and Steven Skelley. Copyright 2016 Sunny Harbor Publishing. PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956. Phone: 321-446-7552. Email: [email protected]
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